Santa Cruz County's jobless rate at 13.5 percent

SANTA CRUZ -- Despite a spike in local government jobs, unemployment in Santa Cruz County jumped to 13.5 percent in December, a record for the month.

This is the highest December jobless rate for the county in 19 years, which is how long the state Employment Development Department has been keeping track of the numbers. The latest figures were released Friday.

The jobless rate was also 13.5 percent in March, when the stock market crashed.

Last month, local government was the only sector seeing big growth, adding 600 jobs. Farm jobs shrank by 1,700, though historically the November-to-December drop is 2,700, much more severe.

If Santa Cruz County had shed the number of farm jobs typical for this time of the year, unemployment could have been comparable to Monterey County, where 16.7 percent are jobless.

Unemployment is at 12.1 percent in California and 9.7 percent for the nation.

Asked where jobs were added in local government in Santa Cruz County, state labor analyst Jorge Villalobos said the department does not have that level of detail.

Compared to November, when the county unemployment was at 12.1 percent, retail -- specifically general merchandise stores -- saw a modest increase of 100 jobs. But manufacturing and other services each saw a modest Decrease of 100 jobs when historically those numbers are stable.

There was no change in private education and health services, professional and business services, financial activities or information.

Santa Cruz County has a long way to go to recover in construction and manufacturing, two higher-paying sectors. Construction is off 800 jobs compared to last year; manufacturing is down 500 and retail is down by 400.

"The signs of a stabilization are out there, but a jobs recovery is not evident yet," said Tonée Picard, executive vice president and chief marketing and development officer at Bay Federal Credit Union in Capitola.

"I know there are areas in California that are still really having a hard time," she added, citing Fresno, Merced and Stockton. "We see this in our peer credit union data."

Compared to the rest of the state, Santa Cruz County is faring better, ranking 28th of 58 counties in terms of the jobless percentage. Monterey, which had a sharper drop in ag jobs, ranked 42nd.

In counties that depend on forestry or agriculture, unemployment is much higher. Imperial County has the highest jobless rate in the state, at 27.7 percent, followed by Colusa County at 25.9 percent, Sutter County at 20.1 percent and Merced at 19.8 percent.

Picard said Bay Federal Credit Union will keep offering free financial seminars to help people get out of debt. The next one will take will take place 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Cabrillo College Student Activity Center East, Room 225. Registration is requested by calling 477-8427.